Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sadie's first night home gave us some entertainment and little sleep. Not being familiar with each other, she found places to "Den", peeking out to observe the situation. As the evening went on she would sneak out from behind the chair and pick up one toy at a time. The first piece of furniture to become initiated by her tiny, SHARP teeth.
Electric and computer cords have seemed to become automatic chew toys for her.

This puppy has one absolutely challenging habit at this age. Chew! Chew!! Chewing!!! Oh YES, Did I say C-H-E-W-I-N-G?!? Diverting her attention has been one thing. Holding her little mouth closed and telling her "NO" firmly, short time outs in the kennel, have been other methods of getting her attention. Another suggestion I have also read about is to place a bitter-taste on the focus of the teeth puncture wounds or ripping. Patience and being consistent will bring positive results.
The first full day of being home,with trips outside every two hours, there weren't any potty problems...Soon to change in the next couple of days. I am getting to see what her cues are for us to be getting on our way out the door.

Particular noises around the house are becoming less of an anxiety trigger as we reach almost a week together come tomorrow evening.

At 9 weeks of age she is most definitely a sniffer ; catching the scents in the neighborhood.

-Some Good Things she has learned-

1.Going up and down three deck steps on her own.
2.Learning her name in a very short amount of time.
3.A free foot warmer while sitting at the computer.

Sadie found a stick on one of our early morning excursions,on her second day home,and carried it very proudly like any "Retriever" would...